Shoe stretcher



Feb. 10, 1931. F. L. SORDI-:LETT 1,792,192

SHOE STRETCHER Filed June 25, 1929 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Feb. 10, 1931. F.L.. soRDELETT SHOE STRETCHEIR Filed June V25, 1929 2 Sheets-Shea?I 2 'YPatented Feb. 10, 1931 UNITED STATES AP 1K-11ENT; @1an@CEI` ff FRANKLEWIS SORDELETT, ornIorr'MoNn, VIRGINA SHOE STRETCHIER Y,

Application mea .Tune 25, 1929.37 ,serialu Nd. A9.72554.L

, This invention relates to shoe stretchers, and more particularly to aninflatable stretcher.

. Gne of the objects of this invention is the provision of an inflatablestretcher for enlarging a shoe.

Another object ofthis invention is the provision of an inflatablestretcher adapted to operate in either right or left shoe.

tive relation with an inflatable member so as to stretch a shoe invarious directions.

Other objects and features will more Jf ully appear from theaccompanying drawings and following description, in which:

Fig. 1 is a shoe showing the invention therein;

Fig. 2, a longitudinal cross sectional view;

e Fig. 3, a top plan view;

"5 Referring to the drawings, a last or form l, having a circumferentialgroove 2, around a medium stock 3, is shaped so as to substantiallyconform to the size of a shoe.

A tube 5, made from any flexible material,

40 such as rubber, is provided with the usual air valve 6, and adaptedto engage said groove. The valve 6 projects from the posterior of saidlast and is inflated by an air pump 7 well known to the art. Y,

Fig. 6 is a modification showing a grooved `last 8 consisting of anupper section 9 and lower section 10. A spring catch l1 is secured inthe lower section and adapted to be disposed in an aperture l2 of saidupper section,

5@ and engage a lip 13projecting from said se@1 from said last A stillfurther object of this invention is the provision of last-like member 1noperation, so as to securely the two sectionsl together or byldisenga-gement of said 'catch tions when the tube'is inflated. A Fig.7' another modicati'on showing an upper section llll hinged to 'a lowersection 15 kso 'that when the tube is inflated, expansion ofsaidsections may take placefin a direction around .the axis of saidhinge. 1

. Fig.y9 isa still'urther'modication showing a' socket 16 screwed to athreaded valve 17 connected to a tube. vA hollow ball 18'en'- gageschannel 19 in said socket and the usual ,permit expansion of said secvball andv socket-motionA Vis obtained by the foregoing'` arrangement.'`It .will be notedl thatthe valve head issecured to lower hinge 20 by anutf2l and said socket. f v

By inserting the last into a shoe, inthe manner lshown in Fig. 1, andinating the tube, `expansion takes place outwardly and the shoe` is thusstretched. The frictionv between said shoe and tube, when the latter isA expanded,tends to hold the last in a fixed position and the lattercannot slip toward the heel. The modification shown in Fig. 6 functionsin a similar manner to that just described and in addition, when thespring catch is releasedV the last members may eX- pand along with thetube; while the modication shown in Fig. 7 provides an arrangementwhereby expansion may take place around the axis of a hinge whichsecuresthe sections together.

By the provision of the ball and socket member shown in Fig. 9elimination of rubber tubeis obtained and the pump can be connecteddirectly to the ball member therevrby serving both as inflatable meansand a handle. y

If too much space is allowed between the posterior sections of the lastthe tube, when y inflated, will escape therefrom; whichv is anundesirable condition'. By the provision of protruding supports on eachof the sections', which -substantially closes the posterior portions ofsaid last, said tube is thus prevented from escaping.

Having described my invention, I claim: j

l. In a device of the character described a last having a substantiallysemicircular groove on the periphery thereof, and an inlatable means,adapted to engage said groove, for stretching purposes.

2. In a device of the character described a last consisting of an upperand lowery section respectively provided With a stock, a periph- Y erale'PQOvin .Said lest Substantially-@fwd by' said stocks, and aninaitalble means en` gaging said groove, in operative rel atnipp withsaid sections, for stretching, purposes.

3. In a device of Vthe olianaotr desoribed a last consisting of upperand lowersections respectively provided with stock portionsvsubstantially :forming a .circular peripheral groove, a. tube in saidgroove, and means for securing said sections. 1

4. 111e device of the Character deserihed consisting off a last havingan upper Land lower section hinged togetherattheposterior thereof,.andan inflamable ftube between said Setns for ,stretehng purposes.

Y 5. a device `of the character described consisting of a last .havingan upper and lower section hinged :togethena tube between said sections,a valve on Said tube,fand,a`ba1l andr socket .member engaging ,saidValve for connection Wlzh a source \of pneumatic sup- 6. In avdev-icefofthe characteridescni'bed a last comprising upper and lower Asect-ionsgrooved to form a peripheral groove, Aandan inflatable member adaptedYto engage .said groove for stretching purposes.

In :testimony whereof I have hereunto jset my name this 15th dayo J une,19.29.

FRANK LEWIS

